Now is the Time film stillThe Paul Martin Law Library presents a film screening for Orange Shirt Day on Thursday, Sept. 30.

Public event to honour Indigenous history

Members of the public and campus community are invited to join the Paul Martin Law Library's Truth and Reconciliation Sharing Circle for a virtual Orange Shirt Day event on Thursday, Sept. 30.

The group will meet over the Blackboard Collaborate platform at 4:30 p.m. to present two National Film Board films:

  • This Was the Time (1970) shows how one village lived again the old glory, with singing, dancing, feasting, and the raising of a towering totem as a lasting reminder of what once was.
  • Now Is the Time (2019) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first new totem pole raising on British Columbia’s Haida Gwaii in almost a century. Haida filmmaker Christopher Auchter steps through history to revisit the day that would signal the rebirth of the Haida spirit.

Indigenous speakers and UWindsor professors Cynthia Stirbys of social work and Valarie Waboose of law will facilitate group discussions after each film screening.

The event will take place on Orange Shirt Day: every year on Sept. 30, people across Canada wear orange and participate in events that recognize and raise awareness about the history and legacies of the residential school system in Canada. Orange Shirt Day originates from the story of Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation.

“The Paul Martin Law Library has gone virtual this year with its committee-led events,” said committee members Jennifer Soutter and Vicki Leung. “As we continue to support and seek Understanding of the lived experiences of our Indigenous colleagues and communities, we hope interested parties will join us on this journey.”

This event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required: http://attend.com/NowIsTheTime.

Find information about additional Orange Shirt Day activities.